Storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles and method for filling same

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level, which is distinguished in that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow. Furthermore, the invention concerns an apparatus and a method for filling a corresponding storage apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of German Application No. 10 2005 034 246.9 filed Jul. 19, 2005, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, together with each and every U.S. and foreign patent and patent application mentioned below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level. Furthermore, the invention concerns an apparatus and a method for filling the above-mentioned storage apparatus.

Such apparatuses are used in particular in the tobacco-processing industry for the temporary storage or buffering of cigarettes, filter rods or other articles required for cigarette manufacture. For instance, filter rods can, before they are fed to the corresponding machine for attachment to the tobacco rods, harden and/or dry in the storage apparatuses. If the filter rods are suitable for further processing or there is a need for filter rods, the storage apparatuses can then be transported to the corresponding machine and emptied into it. For filling the storage apparatuses, the articles are transported by means of ordinarily mass-flow transport devices, e.g. conveyor belts, from the respective maker to the storage apparatus and transferred to the latter.

Different storage apparatuses for storing rod-shaped articles are already known. A storage apparatus with the characteristics first described above is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,984, for example. In this is shown a storage apparatus for filter rods which comprises a housing with an opening for filling and emptying. In the region of the opening is arranged, in addition to the flexible belt which allows filling against counter-pressure which is generated by the initial tension of the belt as well as the weight of the products already located in the reservoir, a transport unit for separating the articles from the incoming mass flow. The transport unit serves to move the articles from a discharge region of the mass-flow transport unit through the opening in the storage apparatus into the interior of the housing. In other words, the transport unit which consists of an upper and a lower conveyor serves as a connecting member between the storage apparatus and the apparatus connected for filling or emptying, in order to form, from a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow, a single-layer, orderly mass flow with separated articles. Accordingly, the apparatuses for filling the storage apparatuses are also formed in a transfer region for separating the articles, by arranging suitable transport means such as belt conveyors or drums in the region of the opening. Apparatuses of this kind and the corresponding methods, however, have on the one hand the drawback that filling and emptying takes a very long time, as the articles are fed and carried away singly and in a single layer. As a result, the output of the apparatuses falls. On the other hand, separation of the articles places considerable mechanical stress on them, as each article must be “touched” at least twice, namely during filling and during emptying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and reliable storage apparatus with a high capacity. Furthermore it is the object of the present invention to propose an apparatus and a method for filling the storage apparatus.

This object is achieved by a storage apparatus with the characteristics mentioned hereinbefore by the fact that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow. Hence the mass flow can be fed directly to the storage apparatus and carried away from it again, avoiding intermediate steps and in particular without separation. Thus the storage apparatus according to the invention is distinguished by a very high capacity. Also, the load on the articles is reduced compared with conventional apparatuses. Furthermore, the storage apparatus according to the invention is a cost-saving system for storing and transporting rod-shaped articles. Due to the simple construction of the storage apparatus, conversion of existing machines is also possible with little expenditure.

Preferably, the belt element is tensioned directly in front of the opening, further improving transfer to the storage apparatus in the form of an airlock.

In a preferred development of the invention the belt element is mounted on two fastening means arranged on both sides of the opening. With this construction, it is particularly easy to apply the necessary belt tension.

Advantageously, the storage apparatus is made transportable. This ensures on the one hand flexible and on the other hand simple logistics within a plant.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is distinguished by the fact that several of the storage apparatuses, which can be filled and emptied independently of each other, are connected to each other to form a storage unit. This allows the creation of a simple system for storing and transporting the articles with low space requirements.

Further, this construction ensures, due to the modular structure, high flexibility with respect to the different customer requirements, at the same time with low manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by an apparatus for filling storage apparatuses which includes a housing with a main channel for feeding a mass flow composed of rod-shaped articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, a closable opening at the end of the main channel in the discharge region for discharging articles to the storage apparatus, and an adapter element for the connection of a storage apparatus, the apparatus being designed for filling the storage apparatus in a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow. The resulting advantages have already been described above, so that reference is made to the corresponding passages.

Preferably, at least two discharge regions are provided, a closable opening being provided in each discharge region. As a result, in a particularly simple but effective manner the storage capacity is increased, as a result of which a lower frequency of changing the storage apparatuses is required, which simplifies the in-house logistics.

Advantageously, a buffer hopper is associated with each main channel and/or the or each transport channel. As a result, the changing times for the storage apparatuses can be bridged without interrupting supply of the mass flow.

Furthermore, the object is also achieved by the method mentioned hereinbefore, by the fact that it has the steps of: feeding a mass flow composed of the articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, and filling the storage apparatus, the or each storage apparatus being filled directly with the mass flow. The advantages arise in the same manner from the above-mentioned section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantageous or preferred characteristics and developments are apparent from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments as well as the method are illustrated in more detail with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a single storage apparatus with partly filled storage space;

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for filling storage apparatuses with a discharge region;

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus for filling storage apparatuses with two discharge regions;

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus according to FIG. 3 in a further operating position; and

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to FIG. 3 in a further operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the figures are shown a storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry as well as an apparatus and a method for filling such storage apparatuses. Naturally, the apparatuses and the method can also be used for storing and transporting other articles.

In FIG. 1 is shown a single transportable storage apparatus 10. The storage apparatus 10 serves to store and transport rod-shaped articles, e.g. filter rods, the articles all being aligned in the same position within the storage apparatus 10. The storage apparatus 10 comprises a housing 11 which defines a holding chamber 12 enclosed on all sides, at least one opening 13 being provided for filling and emptying the storage apparatus 10. Within the housing 11 or in the holding chamber 12 is arranged a flexible belt element 14. The belt element 14 can have a defined initial tension or belt tension. By means of the flexible variable-length belt element 14, variable adjustment of a storage space 15 expanding in the holding chamber 12 is possible depending on the fill level.

The capacity of the storage space 15 is defined by the dimension of the housing 11 or its holding chamber 12. Within the holding chamber 12, the storage space 15 can be increased in size like a balloon, starting from an empty storage apparatus 10. According to the invention the storage apparatus 10 is designed for filling with a multi-layer and disorderly mass flow. This means that a mass flow can be introduced directly into the storage apparatus 10 and accordingly also discharged again. For this purpose the belt element 14 is arranged directly in the region of the opening 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the belt element 14 is tensioned directly in front of the opening 13. As counter-bearings or contact element for the belt element 14, two guide elements 16, 17 are provided which, starting from side walls 18, 19 of the housing 11, run in a funnel shape obliquely in the direction of the opening 13.

The belt element 14 is arranged at the two opposite ends on both sides of the opening 13 on fastening means 20, 21. The fastening means 20, 21 are arranged beneath the holding chamber 12 within the housing 11 and designed as winding elements. Thus the fastening means 20, 21 are arranged within the housing 11, but separately from the actual storage space 15. To be more precise, the winding elements are rotatably mounted rollers 22, 23. In the empty state of the storage apparatus 10, the belt element 14 is wound uniformly on the rollers 22, 23 and arranged like a membrane between the opening 13 and the funnel opening 14 formed by the guide elements 16, 17. During filling, the belt element 14 is pushed through the funnel opening 24 into the holding chamber 12 by means of the mass flow 25 moving on. The rollers 22, 23 can be driven e.g. by suitable spring elements (e.g. torsion springs or spiral springs) which lead to an initial tension of the belt element 14. Another possibility lies in coupling the rollers 22, 23 to drives of existing apparatuses, e.g. the apparatus 27.

The shown storage apparatus 10 is constructed in modular fashion as a transportable unit. Several such storage apparatuses 10 can be combined into a storage unit (as will be described below). Within the storage unit 26, however, the individual storage apparatuses 10 can be filled and emptied independently of each other. Each storage apparatus 10 or the storage units 26 composed of them are made transportable. Accordingly, these can be coupled to corresponding apparatuses for filling or emptying. For this purpose an adapter, not shown explicitly, for connection to the apparatuses is associated with the or each housing 11. In order to keep the articles stored in the storage apparatuses 10, associated with each storage apparatus 10 in the region of the opening 13 is a closure element (not shown) which can be designed as an ordinary sliding or flap element. Other ordinary closures can also be used for closing and opening the opening 13.

In FIG. 2 is shown a apparatus 27 for filling the storage apparatus 10 or a storage unit 26 composed of several storage apparatuses 10. The apparatus 27 includes a housing 28. Within the housing 28 is formed a main channel 29 for feeding the mass flow 25. The mass flow 25 is transportable by means of a mass-flow transport device 30 into a discharge region 31. In the region of the discharge region 31, namely at the end of the main channel 29, is formed a closable opening 32 (see e.g. FIG. 5), from which the mass flow 25 can leave the apparatus 27 and enter the storage apparatus 10. Correspondingly to the adapter of the storage apparatus 10, the apparatus 27 in the region of the opening 32 also has an adapter for connecting or coupling the storage apparatus 10.

The mass flow 25 lies directly adjacent to the opening 32, so that when the storage apparatus 10 is coupled, direct filling with the multi-layer and disorderly mass flow 25 can take place. The or each storage apparatus 10 can be placed on a transport element 33 over the opening 32. The transport element 33 can be composed of rails, belts or other suitable components. In the shown embodiment, the transport element is composed of two parallel (conveyor) belts 34, 35. On these belts 34, 35, several of the storage apparatuses 10 can be moved successively over the opening 32 until all the storage apparatuses 10 of the storage unit 26 are full.

An additional buffer hopper 36 is associated with the main channel 29. The buffer hopper 36 in the example shown is a branch 37 of the main channel 29. The branch 37 is, for example, split off from the main channel 29 with a spring-loaded plunger. In the event that the mass flow 25 cannot be introduced directly into a storage apparatus 10, for example in case of changing the storage apparatus 10 or the storage unit 26, the mass flow 25 switches to the branch 37 in this cycle time. The nature and position of the buffer hopper 36 can vary. Another variant of the buffer hopper 36 can be formed by a variable-length main channel 29, for example.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the apparatus 27 has two discharge regions 31. For this, the main channel 29 is divided into two transport channels 38, 39. Naturally more than two discharge regions 31 may be provided as well. An opening 32 is associated with each discharge region 31. The openings 31 can also be closed by means of covers, flap or the like. To control the individual transport channels 38, 39, associated with each of the transport channels 38, 39 is a drive by means of which the mass flow 25 can be transported into each selected discharge region 31. To put it another way, the drives or the control system associated with the drives serve to switch between the individual discharge regions 31. Accordingly, a buffer hopper 36 is also associated with each transport channel 28, 29, in order to equalise cycle times within a storage unit 26 and/or changing times between the discharge regions 31.

Each discharge region 31 and hence each opening 32 is, as already mentioned above, assigned a transport element 33, so that several storage apparatuses 10 can be moved over the openings 32 successively. The openings 32 in this case preferably face vertically upwards, so that the mass flow 25 can be conveyed from bottom to top out of the apparatus 27 into the storage apparatus 10. Alternatively, the arrangement can be different, for example, such that the storage apparatus 10 is arranged below the apparatus 27, so that the mass flow 25 can be conveyed from top to bottom.

Below, the principle of the method is illustrated in more detail with the aid of the figures. According to the principle of operation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rod-shaped articles are transported by means of the mass-flow transport device 30 from a production machine (not shown) through the main channel 29 to the discharge regions 31. In FIG. 3 two discharge regions 31 are available, in which discharge is performed alternately. In the operating situation shown, discharge is performed in the left discharge region 31 of FIG. 3, while the right storage apparatus 10 in FIG. 3 is already full. The incoming mass flow 25 is diverted into the transport channel 38, 39 provided at that time for filling, and conveyed from below directly into the storage apparatus 10. As soon as the storage apparatus 10 is full, the mass flow 25 is conveyed for a short time into the buffer hopper 36. As a result, the mass flow 25 in or into the storage apparatus 10 is stopped and the opening 13 of the storage apparatus 10 is closed. Optionally, the opening 32 can be closed too.

Then the transport element 33 moves the full storage apparatus 10 by the width of the storage apparatus forwards or backwards, so that a storage apparatus 10 which is still empty in front of or behind the full storage apparatus 10 is moved with its opening 13 over the opening 32. As soon as the empty storage apparatus 10 stops in the discharge region 31, the buffer hopper 36 is slowly emptied by filling the storage apparatus 10 to the same extent.

When all the storage apparatuses 10 of a storage unit 26 are full in a corresponding manner (see right discharge region in FIG. 4), the direction of the mass flow 25 is switched from the transport channel 39 to the transport channel 38, so that filling takes place in the other discharge region 31. While the left storage unit 26 in FIG. 4 or 5 is being filled, the right, already-filled storage unit 26 can be removed by suitable transport devices (e.g. fork-lift truck, lift truck, shelf operating unit, conveyor belt or the like) and replaced by an empty storage unit 26. On account of the large storage volume of a storage unit 26, there is enough time available for changing. By this method the number of changes can also be reduced on account of the high storage capacity, which in turn simplifies the in-house logistics.

The apparatus 27 and the corresponding method can be used with minor adaptations for emptying the storage apparatuses 10 or storage units 26 as well. Emptying can, for example, take place in a different location in filter-attaching machines, packers or the like. In this case, intermediate storage in a buffer hopper 26 is not necessary.

The invention has been described in detail with respect to referred embodiments, and it will now be apparent from the foregoing to those skilled in the art, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and the invention, therefore, as defined in the appended claims, is intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit of the invention. 

1. Storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level, characterised in that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow.
 2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the belt element is mounted directly in the region of the opening.
 3. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the belt element is tensioned directly in front of the opening.
 4. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the belt element is mounted on two fastening means arranged on both sides of the opening.
 5. Storage apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the fastening means are designed as a winding element.
 6. Storage apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the fastening means are arranged within the housing, but separately from the actual storage space.
 7. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the storage apparatus is made transportable.
 8. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that on the housing is provided an adapter for connection to apparatuses which discharge articles or receive articles.
 9. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that in the region of the opening is provided a closure element for closing the opening.
 10. Storage apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that several of the storage apparatuses, which can be filled and emptied independently of each other, are connected to each other to form a storage unit.
 11. Apparatus for filling storage apparatuses in particular according to claim 1, including a housing with a main channel for feeding a mass flow composed of rod-shaped articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, a closable opening at the end of the main channel in the discharge region for discharging articles to the storage apparatus, and an adapter element for the connection of a storage apparatus, the apparatus being designed for filling the storage apparatus with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that at least two discharge regions are provided, a closable opening being formed in each discharge region.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the main channel is divided into several transport channels, such that each discharge region (31) can be supplied with the mass flow.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that in each transport channel is arranged a separate drive for switching between the discharge regions.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that in the region of each opening is arranged a transport element.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the transport elements is designed for receiving and for transporting several storage apparatuses.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that each opening faces vertically upwards, such that the storage apparatus can be filled from below.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that a buffer hopper is associated with the main channel and/or a or each transport channel.
 19. Method for filling storage apparatuses with rod-shaped articles, including the steps of: feeding a mass flow composed of the articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, and filling the storage apparatus, the or each storage apparatus being filled directly with the mass flow.
 20. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that filling takes place by means of suitably controlled mass flow in several discharge regions.
 21. Method according to claim 20, characterised in that filling takes place alternately in the discharge regions.
 22. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that the storage apparatuses are filled from below.
 23. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that the storage apparatuses are moved cyclically over the openings in the discharge region.
 24. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that several storage apparatuses are moved successively to a discharge region.
 25. Method according to claim 19, characterised in that the mass flow is guided into a buffer hopper during the changing of a storage apparatus. 